Ramón Rodríguez to Receive Spotlight Award at National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts’s Visibility Awards

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ramón Rodríguez is officially in the Spotlight…

The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts is honoring three artists at its annual Visibility Awards in D.C. on Wednesday, including the 43-year-old Puerto Rican actor, at an event designed to advance Latino representation in film and television.

Rodríguez will receive the organization’s Spotlight Award for producing and starring in the adaptation of the Karin Slaughter crime novel Will Trent.

“Ramón has been a leading voice in continued efforts to open doors for Latino talent in the industry,” the foundation said.

Ángel Manuel Soto, director-producer of the Latino superhero movie Blue Beetle, is being recognized with the organization’s Raul Julia Award for Excellence.

“Ángel’s work advances the presence of Latinos in film and highlights studies demonstrating that Latino directors are more likely to bring Latino talent to their projects,” the foundation said.

Camila Morrone, honored with the Horizon Award, is starring with Willem Dafoe in Patricia Arquette’s, Gonzo Girl, based on Cheryl Della Pietra’s semi-autobiographical novel, based on her time as Hunter S. Thompson’s personal assistant.

The event and Noche Musical, to be held at the Mayflower Hotel, will follow the foundation’s 2023 Visioning Summit, Advancing Representation in Media, Arts, & Beyond. Felix Sanchez, the foundation’s chair and co-founder, said in a statement that the summit’s intent is to “rethink the landscape with images of the American Latino.”

Among those leading panel discussions at the event, to be held Wednesday morning at the National Press Club, will be CBS News’s Ed O’Keefe, CNN’s Jim Acosta, NBC News’ Monica Alba, and NPR’s Claudia Grisales.

Also scheduled to participate are Soto, Carla Dirlikov, senior advisor and envoy for cultural exchange at the National Endowment for the Arts; Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), actor and comedian Eugenio Derbez and producer Flavio Morales. The summit is free and open to the public.

Organizers said that the event will adhere to any modifications per SAG-AFTRA guidelines.

First Trailer Released for Guillermo del Toro’s Remake of the 1947 Film Noir Classic “Nightmare Alley”

Posted on September 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo del Toro is sharing his nightmare…

The first teaser trailer has been released for Nightmare Alley, directed and co-written by the 56-year-old Mexican Oscar-winning filmmaker.

del Toro’s latest project is a star-packed remake of the 1947 film noir classic, which is based on the 1946 novel by William Lindsay Gresham.

“I am prepared to offer you folks one last chance to witness this supreme oddity…. Is it a beast — or is it a man?”

So says Willem Dafoe’s carnival barker in the trailer, which also stars Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper and two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, who take over the roles originally played by Tyrone Power and Helen Walker.

Cooper plays Stan Carlisle, an ambitious young carny who has a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words. He hooks up with a psychiatrist (Blanchett) who is even more dangerous than he is.

The big-name supporting cast includes Academy Award nominees Toni Collette, Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara and David Straithairn, along with two-time Emmy nominee Ron Perlman.

The film co-written by Kim Morgan marks Del Toro’s first time behind the camera since 2018’s The Shape of Water, for which he won Best Picture and Best Director Oscars.

He also produced Nightmare Alley along with his Shape of Water collaborator J. Miles Dale.

The film will open in theaters on December 17 via Searchlight.

Morena Baccarin to Star in the Nourish Thriller “Tropico”

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Morena Baccarin is hittin’ the tropics…

The 40-year-old Brazilian actress is set to star in director Giada Colagrande’s Tropico, a noirish thriller set in Brazil.

Baccarin will star opposite Pedro Pascal and Willem Dafoein the film, from a screenplay by Barry Gifford.

In Tropico, Dafoe plays Raymond Sanz, a veteran operative hired to spy on Mark, an American businessman (Pascal) in a steamy costal town in Northern Brazil. However, things get more complicated when Sanz falls simultaneously for Mark’s wife, the mysterious and beautiful Lucia (Baccarin), and her equally beautiful identical twin sister, Olivia (Baccarin).

“Barry’s atmospheric screenplay is an exotic thriller in the best traditions of the noir genre,” said Colagrande, “and I also couldn’t be more excited to work with such an accomplished group of actors.”

Eclipse Pictureshas acquired the worldwide sales rights to Tropico.

Colagrande previously directed Padre and her debut film Open My Heart played at Venice Film Festivalin 2002.

Production on the film is due to start in the first quarter of 2020 in São Luis Do Maranhão, Northern Brazil.

In addition to her regular roles on the iconic series Homeland and Gotham, Baccarin has two Deadpool blockbusters under her belt and next stars opposite Gerard Butlerin Greenland forSTX Filmsand opposite Charlie Hunnam and Mel Gibsonin Waldo.

Pascal, who starred on television in Game of Thrones and Narcos and appeared in the Equalizer 2 film, will next be seen in the Robert Rodriguez-directed We Can Be Heroes, and opposite Gal Gadotin the sequel Wonder Woman 1984. He also stars in the title role of Jon Favreau’s upcoming Star Wars spinoff, The Mandalorian.

Oscar Isaac Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Oscar Isaac has new representation…

The 39-year-old Cuban and Guatemalan actor, who most recently starred in and produced Chris Weitz’s MGM film Operation Finale and will reprise his role as Poe Dameron in Star Wars: Episode IX, has signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME) for representation in all areas.

Isaac, who won a Golden Globe in 2016 for HBO’s Show Me a Hero, has several film projects in the works including starring in JC Chandor’s ensemble Triple Frontier, the long-gestating dramatic thriller set up at Netflix.

He also voices Gomez Addams in MGM’s upcoming animated The Addams Family movie.

Additionally, Isaac plays Paul Gauguinopposite Willem Dafoe’sVincent van Goghin At Eternity’s Gate, the biopic directed by Julian Schnabelthat CBS Filmswill release on November 16.

His credits include Alex Garland’s Ex Machina in 2014, the same year he starred in Chandor’s A Most Violent Year; both films were in that season’s awards mix. He also starred in Garland’s follow-up Annihilation, which bowed this year. He nabbed his first Golden Globe nomination for the Coen brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis in 2013.

Star Wars: Episode IX, which returns JJ Abrams to direct in the finale of the Skywalker saga franchise, has a December 20, 2019 release date.

Isaac had been at UTA for almost a decade with that agency sealing the deals that helped him grow into an A-list name, breaking out in Nic Refn’s Drive opposite Ryan Gosling.

Carlos Leal to Star in Netflix’s Film “The Last Thing He Wanted”

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Leal has found the last thing…

The Spanish actor will appear in Dee Rees and Netflix’s The Last Thing He Wanted.

Leal joins a cast that includes Anne Hathaway, Willem Dafoe, Ben Affleck, Toby Jones, Rosie Perez, Edi Gathegi, and Mel Rodriguez.

Based on Joan Didion’s 1996 novel, the film follows journalist Elena McMahon (Hathaway) who finds herself on dangerous ground as the Iran Contra Affair’s arms for drugs plot reaches its tipping point.

Rees and Marco Villalobos adapted the screenplay.

Leal’s credits include the James Bond film, Casino Royale.

Production is currently underway in Puerto Rico.

Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” Named Top Film by the Alliance of Women Film Journalists

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo del Toro’s latest project is resonating with the ladies…

The Alliance of Women Film Journalists has selected the 53-year-old Mexican filmmaker’s The Shape of Water as its top film, with del Toro earning top director honors, and Sally Hawkins winning its bravest performance award.

Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird was also honored with three awards that included best supporting actress for Laurie Metcalf and two awards for Gerwig for best woman director and best woman screenwriter.

The alliance awards are called the EDAs in honor of AWFJ founder Jennifer Merin’s mother, actress Eda Reiss Merin. The Florida Project won two EDA Awards for best supporting actor for Willem Dafoe and best breakthrough performance for Brooklynn Prince.

In the EDA special mention categories, documentary filmmaker Agnes Varda was voted to receive the Actress Defying Age and Ageism Award, while receiving the best documentary award for her film Faces, Places.

Kate Winslet won the organization’s Actress Most in Need of a New Agent for Wonder Wheel and The Mountain Between Us.

The alliance also honored Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd and all women who spoke out against sexual harassment with the EDA Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in the Film Industry. The Annual AWFJ Hall of Shame Award was bestowed upon the high-profile group of those accused of sexual abuse including Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Brett Ratner.

“This past year was an important year for women to feel empowered to speak out and be heard,” said Merin. “The need for gender parity and gender diversity in the movie industry is patently clear, and the time to stop sexual harassment in all industries is now. These goals are fundamental to AWFJ’s mission and its core values.

“I am thrilled that for this year’s awards, our AWFJ members voted to honor such a diverse array of talent and to recognize those who are leading with their voices to put an end to long time misconduct, making the 2017 EDA Awards particularly relevant when art and film must be the vanguard of social progress.”

Varela to Star in the Ice Age Epic “The Solutrean”

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s back to the “ice age, baby” for Leonor Varela…

The 43-year-old Chilean actress has landed a supporting role in Studio 8’s ice age epic The Solutrean from director Albert Hughes.

Inspired by the controversial “solutrean hypothesis,” which advances the idea that Stone Age Europeans might have been among the earliest settlers of the Americas, the coming-of-age tale of survival is set 20,000 years ago.

It follows a young boy injured during a hunting expedition and left for dead who must use his skills, intuition and force of will to make it back home. Along the way, he befriends a wolf, who becomes his close companion.

Varela is playing the shaman of the boy’s tribe; described as wise, powerful and compelling, she performs religious rituals of protection, healing and thanksgiving.

Varela most recently appeared in Paramount Pictures’ Captive, opposite Kate Mara, David Oyelowo and Michael Kenneth Williams.

Her other credits include Ride opposite Helen Hunt and Luke Wilson, a seven-episode arc on TNT’s Dallas, and Odd Thomas with Anton Yelchin and Willem Dafoe. She also appeared in Blade II and The Tailor of Panama.

Rapace to Star in Sci-Fi Action Thriller “What Happened to Monday?”

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Noomi Rapace is questioning Monday…

The 35-year-old half-Spanish actress will star opposite Willem Dafoe in What Happened to Monday?

In a future where overpopulation and famine have forced governments to undertake a drastic One-Child Policy, seven identical sisters live a hide-and-seek existence pursued by the Child Allocation Bureau. The Bureau, directed by the fierce Nicolette Cayman, enforces a strict family-planning agenda that the sisters outwit by taking turns assuming the identity of one person: Karen Settman. Taught by their grandfather who raised and named them — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday — each can go outside once a week as their common identity, but are only free to be themselves in the prison of their own apartment. That is until, one day, Monday does not come home.

The film, directed by Tommy Wirkola, has started shooting in Bucharest at the Castel Film Studios.

Rapace and Dafoe are joined by Glenn Close in the sci-fi action thriller. Marwan Kenzari, Christian Rubeck and Pal Sverre Hagen have also boarded the project.

Wirkola (Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters) is directing from a script written by Kerry Williamson (Alex Cross) and Max Botkin (Robosapien: Rebooted).

Rapace achieved international fame with her portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish film adaptations of the Millennium series: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest.

Her other film credits include Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Prometheus and Child 44.

Garcia Bernal to Serve on the Cannes Film Festival Main Jury Panel

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’ll be all business for Gael García Bernalat this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

The 35-year-old Mexican actor, director and producer has been announced as one of the jury members who will make up this year’s main panel at this year’s edition.

In all, four men, including Garcia, and four women will support president Jane Campion on the jury panel.

The other world cinema “luminaries” include French actress and former Bond Girl Carole Bouquet; festival habituée Sofia Coppola, whose The Bling Ring opened the Un Certain Regard sidebar last year; Iranian actress Lelia Hatami (A Separation); Korean actress Do-yeon Jeon, winner of the 2007 Cannes Best Actress prize; American actor Willem Dafoe; Chinese filmmaker Zhangke Jia, who won the screenplay award for last year’s A Touch Of Sin; and 2011 Cannes directing prize winner Nicolas Winding Refn.

Garcia and his fellow jury members will judge the 18 films in competition with awards to be handed out May 24.

The Cannes Film Festival runs May 14-25.

del Toro to Appear in Prada’s Fall/Winter 2013 Campaign

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

The Devil Wears Prada… And apparently so does The Wolfman.

Benicio de Toro has been cast by Prada’s designer and owner Miuccia Prada as one of the fashion house’s latest models.

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican actor, who starred in 2010’s The Wolfman, will appear in Prada’s fall/winter 2013 ad campaign.

In addition to del Toro, Prada has cast Harvey Keitel, as well as young actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who appearswith del Toro in Oliver Stone’s Savages and Dane DeHaan, who will star in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Getting acclaimed film actors to appear in her ads and on her runways is par for the Prada course. Earlier this year, she selected a diverse cast including Gary Oldman, Jamie Bell, Willem Dafoe and Garrett Hedlund to star in the brand’s autumn/winter 2012 men’s ad campaign.

And at the Milan fall/winter collections in January, Oldman, Adrien Brody and Jamie Bell were among the Hollywood A-list celebrities who walked in the Prada menswear show.

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